For six of his 15 seasons as a player, and nearly three years as head coach, he worked for the Phoenix Suns in that desert landscape where the days are so much hotter than the spotlight. Their basketball team was mostly beloved, especially when he turned things around during his debut campaign as coach three seasons ago. The headlines would burn every so often, but nothing like the constant hot takes that come with coaching in the world’s biggest media market.

With Hornacek set to return to Phoenix Tuesday for the first time since he was fired in February, and with his Knicks an early surprise at 14-10 (third in the Eastern Conference), he discussed his situation with USA TODAY Sports recently. From the early observations of franchise centerpiece Carmelo Anthony to the improved supporting cast to life living on the Upper West Side to his view on LeBron James’ recent exploits at Madison Square Garden, Hornacek covered a lot of territory before heading back to his old stomping grounds.

Q: What are you seeing out of ‘Melo this year as far as his game changing within this different context?

A: “I think the confidence in his teammates, that they can do stuff … There are times when maybe we’re struggling and Derrick (Rose) is able to penetrate and get to the basket, so he understands that there’s other guys on his team who, at times, when teams are doubling him or taking him out of something, that one of our guys can step up and do something.”

Q: Even at this late stage of his career, coming off the Olympics, did you see any minor tweaks in the way he approaches the game or the way his mind works coming off the gold medal (experience)?

March 28: Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (7) celebrates a last second win with teammate center Hassan Whiteside (21) during the game against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Leon Halip, USA TODAY Sports

March 18: Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard (8) sits with fans and gets a selfie taken with them after he was introduced before their game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Philips Arena. Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

March 14: New Orleans Pelicans forward DeMarcus Cousins (0) reacts after being foul during the first quarter of a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Smoothie King Center. Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

March 3: San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard passes the ball as New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis defends during overtime of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Spurs defeated the Pelicans 101-98 in overtime. Derick E. Hingle, USA TODAY Sports

Feb 12: New York Knicks owner James L. Dolan sits between Latrell Sprewell and Bernard King while shaking hands with Larry Johnson during the first quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden. Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Feb 7: Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki stretches his legs during the second quarter of the game between the Mavericks and the Portland Trail Blazers at the American Airlines Center. Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Jan. 13: Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) acknowledges the crowd after a video following the first quarter of the Celtics game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Jan. 8: Houston Rockets guard James Harden reacts after losing control of the ball in a collision with Toronto Raptors guard Cory Joseph in the first half at Air Canada Centre. Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Dec. 27, 2016: Rockets forward Nene, right, exchanges heated words with Mavericks guard Justin Anderson, center, during the first half in Dallas. Both players were assessed technical fouls, and the Rockets won 123-107 as the team piled up eight technicals and two flagrants. Kevin Jairaj, USA TODAY Sports

Dec. 26, 2016: Mavericks defender Salah Mejri (50) fouls Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) on a drive to the hoop during the second half in New Orleans. Davis shook off the hit and scored a game-high 28 points to lead the Pelicans to a 111-104 win. Derick E. Hingle, USA TODAY Sports

Dec. 11, 2016: Thunder guard Russell Westbrook rises up for a two-handed slam during the first half against the Celtics in Oklahoma City. Westbrook's streak of triple-doubles ended at seven, but he still helped rally the Thunder to a 99-96 win. Mark D. Smith, USA TODAY Sports

Dec. 3, 2016: Chicago Bulls guard Isaiah Canaan (0) falls to the court with the ball during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Jerome Miron, Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Dec. 2, 2016: Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) reacts to a foul called against him during the second half of the Boston Celtics 97-92 win over the Sacramento Kings at TD Garden. Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 29, 2016: Clippers head coach Doc Rivers is restrained by center DeAndre Jordan as he argues with referee Ken Mauer after receiving a technical foul during the first overtime quarter against the Nets at Barclays Center. Rivers then received a second technical foul and was ejected from the game. Brooklyn won in double overtime. Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports

Nov. 23, 2016: Atlanta Hawks guard Malcolm Delaney (5) fight through a screen and is fouled by Jeff Teague (44) in the second half of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Nov. 12, 2016: New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose (25) drives to the basket as Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) and Toronto Raptors guard Norman Powell (24) try to defend during the first quarter in a game at Air Canada Centre. Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Nov. 10, 2016: A fan displays his support for former Heat star Dwyane Wade after his return to Miami. In his first career game in South Beach as a visitor, Wade helped the Bulls win 98-95. Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports

Nov. 9, 2016: Wizards guard John Wall (2) continues to yell at Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) even after being ejected during the second half in Washington. Wall was tossed for the second straight game, but the Wizards won 118-93. Brad Mills, USA TODAY Sports

Nov. 4, 2016: Knicks guard Derrick Rose leaves the floor at the United Center in Chicago after his first career game there as a visitor. Rose helped the Knicks win 117-104 in his return to the Windy City. Matt Marton, AP

Nov. 3, 2016: Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) looks on as Thunder guard and former teammate Russell Westbrook (0) shoots a a free throw during the first half in Oakland. Durant torched his former team for 39 points in a 122-96 rout. Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports

Oct. 30, 2016: The Clippers huddle during explosive pregame introductions prior to their home opener against the Jazz. Los Angeles sent the crowd home happy with an 88-75 win. Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports

Oct. 25, 2016: Kevin Durant soars to the bucket for a one-handed flush during his Warriors debut against the Spurs in Oakland. San Antonio spoiled Durant's night with a 129-100 win. Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports

A: “Well I don’t know what he was doing prior to me being here, so it’s hard to really say. What I can say is the stuff that he’s doing here. He’s been that calming leader. Early on, we weren’t playing very well (they started 3-6), and he was … telling the guys, ‘We’re a new team, we’re new guys together, it’s going to take us some time.’ So he’s kind of being the leader that way, so again I can’t compare to (what happened before), because I haven’t been around him and I don’t know. But I think it’s different being a leader with a USA team that has 15 of the best players in the league, and then you have to come back to your team where you’re the top guy. It’s a different type of leadership I think, and so far he has done great.”

Q: I always wonder, does it put you in a tough, awkward spot when this stuff with Phil and Melo flares up every so often, where you become the man in the middle and guys are asking you about it?

A: “Yeah, I mean it happens. I think that’s the understanding in New York, that things get blown up probably more than a comment here or a comment there, which is probably meaningless, turns into something big. So you roll with the punches.”

A: “Yeah, I mean you can have the old-school respect for the game. The guys now are playing the game where they’re having fun, and if that’s something that they’re having fun doing … You know all that would do for me as a player is the next time you play them that should jack you up and get you ready to go. I don’t know if there’s enough of those players in today’s game that take any stock in that, but that’s how we would approach it … Everybody looks at it differently I guess.”

Q: In general terms, how do you see the contrast between your Phoenix experience and New York, with all the periphery stuff that comes with this job?

A: “It’s a little different. It’s a little different. Every day, the media – whether it’s, I don’t know, 10, 15, 20 (reporters, whereas) in Phoenix you may have had three or four, so that’s a little different. You know, it’s a passionate city for basketball. So win and they love you, lose and they hate you.”

Q: Do you get a razzing even around town? How do the locals treat you on the street?

A: “No, it’s great on the street. It’s amazing how many people will say stuff, and it’s been all positive, so that’s been fun. You walk the streets of New York, and you try to be incognito a little bit.